Washing machine



March 18; 1930. c. .c. CAMMACK I WASHING MACHINE} Filed June 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 18,. 1930.

c. c. CAMMACK WASHING MACHINE Fiied June 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuantoo QC. Guru/mach? Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rm, or NEWTON, IOWA, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE WASHING: MACHINE Application filed .Tune 21 This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to driving mechanism therefor. One of the objects of the invention is in the provision of a flexible cable drive for the agitator portion of a. washing machine.

Another object lies in the provision of a connecting means between the agitator portion of a washing machine and the power driven oscillating mechanism therefor, said connection including plural sheave members and a flexible cable connecting said sheaves in an operative relationship.

Still another object lies in the provision of a washing machine including an agitator member therein and mechanism for oscillating the agitator including a power driven reciprocating crank and a flexible cable connection between the reciprocating mechanism and agitator portion, which permits noiseless reciprocatory movement of the oscillator within the washer, with a minimum of vibration.

Other objects will appear in the following specification, taken in connection with the annexeddrawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing the manner of connecting the flexible cable driving mechanism to the agitator of the washer as well as to the power drive mechanism; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view take the line 2-'2 of Fig. 1.

Before referring particularly to the drawings, it might be well to describe generally the convdntional character of drive mechanism for washing machines .of' the agitator type. In this we'll known type of washer,

there is ordinarily utilized either a rack bar connection with a pinion secured to the bottom of the shaft carrying the agitator or oscillatable segment member meshing with a pinion secured to the agitator drive shaft. Various attempts have been made to obviate the vibration and noisewhich attend such character of drive.

It is well known that washin machines are now manufactured in mass pro action and in exactly the some manner that automobiles are bui te the resu t g aaom es that te d 1929. Serial No. 372,629.

such production accrue greatly to thebenefit of the public. However, even in automobiles a greater degree of precision in manufacture is in almost every instance used than in the production of washing machines which must be sold at a comparatively low price.

The assignee of the applicant hereinis not only one of the largest manufacturers of washing machines in the country, but also has been a manufacturer of washing machines for a great number of years, and has experienced the resistance and complaints that attend the placement on the market of a machine which when thoroughly broken in, begins to give evidence, both by its noise and vibration, of the manner in which it has been produced, namely, in mass production.

The present applicant has deviced a drive wherein a flexible cable is used, the same with dual sheave members, to the end of re- J ducing to a minimum not only the noise but also any vibration. Because of the flexible connection, there is provided a means for taking u the cable which may become slightly after considerable use. Now, referring specifically to the drawings, .there is shownjin Fig. 1 a conventional tub member 10 having disposed therein a well knowntype of water agitating mechanism 11. This agitator is mounted in the usual manner within the tub, with a vertical drive 3 shaft 13 projecting through the bottom center of the tub and a surrounding column or cylinder14, which acts not only as a support for the vertical driveshaft, but also as a means for sealing the tub and drive mechanism threaded for purposes of support and sealing against leakage. Secured to the frame portion 15 is a conventional electric motor 17 which provides the power, through a. flexible cou ling 18, to the well known worm drive mec amsm'now to be described.

An oil-tight housing 19 also secured to the frame, has suitably supported therein a worm 2,0 which meshes with the worm gear 21 also against leakage. Disposed beneath the tub having suitable bearing supports within the housing. To this worm is secured a stub shaft, 22, projecting before mentioned liouisng.

Attached to the stub shaft is a conventional crank member 23 which in turn transmits, during its continuous rotary movement, reciprocatory movement to an arm 24.

Secured to the frame 15 is a plate 25 pivoted at the point 26 and having a degree of adjustment with respect to said frame, due to the slots 27 and 28 therein and bolt members 29 and 30 respectively. holding this plate in a fixed position is 'provided in a lug 31 formed integrally in the frame, said lug being threaded to receive a threaded adjustable nut 32.

Obviously, with the above described adj ustment means, the plate 25 may have a degree of ivotal movement.

@rojecting upwardly from the plate 25 is a stub shaft 33, upon which is pivoted a sheave 34; having two grooves 35 and 36. The reciprocating arm 24: is pivoted at 37 to the sheave 3a in an ofi-center relationship, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Tt is apparent that continuous movement of the worm gear and crank will result in the reciprocation of the sheave 34.

Secured to the bottom of the vertical drive shaft 13 is a second and smaller sheave 38 pivoted upon a second stub shaft 39, which in turn is either securely attached to, or forms a part of, the frame. This second sheave 38 also has two grooves which are in the same planes as grooves in the sheave '34:. This second and smaller sheave 38, however, has a cross-over portion 40 which, as will be explained, permits the flexible cable to pass frpno the lower groove in sheave 38 to the upper groove therein.

A flexible cable ll provides connecting means between the two sheaves and permits transmission of the reciprocating'movement from the arm 2a to the vertical driveshaft,

and thence to the agitatorwithin the washing machine tub.

The'manner of connecting this flexible cable is novel and will now be described.

A bolt and clamping means 42 is adapted first to secure one end of the cable 41 in a manner to permit the cable to be carried partially around the upper groove in the sheave 34, thence around the upper groove in the smaller sheave 38. The cable finally passes into an indented. or anchor slot 43, at which point a key member 4a passing through the sheave acts as a means for holding the cable in a fixed position and prevents slippage of Y the cable upon the smaller sheave. The cable then passes down or over the before mentioned cross-over portion into the lower roove on the sheave 34, around same, and

nally partially around the lower groove on the larger sheave 34:, the cable finally being upwardly through the Additional means for cable may flex slightly and in order to provide a take-up for the flexing of same, the before mentioned adjustable mechanism has been provided to permit a degree of movement of the larger sheave away from the smaller one. This adjustment mechanism obviouisly may be manually set at any point desire As respects the operation of my flexible cable drive for the agitator portion of a washing machine, it is apparent, as previously described, that a reciprocatory movement will be given to .the arm 24. This reciprocation is obviously transmitted to the larger sheave 34:, which in turn, through the flexible cable 41, transmits oscillation to the smaller sheave 38 and thus satisfactory movement of the agitator within the tub is accomplished, as

have heretofore been used in connection with drives for washing machines, the same usually utilizing plural. V-belt members. However, applicant in the present instance has provided practically a direct connection between the two sheaves by means of the flexible cable and therefore a drive which is less liable to slippage. of carrying the cable about the smaller sheave in a plural fashion not only rovides a very positive drive, but also one which practically obviates slippage.

Due to the particular fashioning of the cross-over as well as the use of the dual pulleys, all wear upon the-flexible cable is distributed practicall throughout its length,

thus insuring long li e for the cable. Possiblg the cross-over might be formed with consi erably more spiral, but even in this instance,larger sheaves would necessarily have to be used inorder to accomplish same for the rise and fall of the cable which-would attend the use of such structure.

The use of the anchor slot eliminates to a large degree any posibility of slippage, except in extremeinstances, between the cable and agitator, mechanism.

What I claim is:

1. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator disposed therein, driving mechanism for the agitator including a power driven reciprocating arm, a'double grooved sheave adapted to be reciprocated by said arm, a second and smaller double grooved sheave connected to th g ator mechan m, n a single fl x- Further, the manner ible cable cooperating with the double grooves in the sheaves to permit a quiet an vibrationless drive of the agitator.

- 2. In a washing machine, in combination, a tub, an agitator therein, a driving mechanism therefor including power driven reciprocating mechanism, a plural grooved sheave connected to the agitator mechanism, a o plural grooved sheave connected .to the power reci rocating mechanism, and a single flexible ca le secured at both ends to the sheave connected to the reciprocating power drive. the same being adapted to engage the plural grooves of the sheave connected to the 5 agitator mechanism as well as to be anchored in a slot formed therein.

3. In a washing machine, in combination,

' a tub member, an agitator disposed therein,

a vertical drive shaft projecting through the bottom of the tub and connected to said agitator, a sheave secured to said vertical shaft below the bottom of the tub and having double grooves formed therein, with a cross-over portion connecting the two grooves as well as 5 an anchor slot formed therein, means for reciprocating said sheave to accomplish movement of the agitator including a power driven reciprocating crank drivenarm, a second. double grooved sheave adapted to be reciprocated by said arm and-connecting means between the two sheaves including a single flexible cable secured at its ends to the second mentioned sheave, said cable being adapted to partially surround the grooves in the second sheave .but adapted to engage both grooves in the first'mentioned sheave.

. 4. In a washing machine, in combination, a tub member, an agitator therein, driving mechanism for said agitator including recipo rocating mechanism, a plural grooved sheave adapted to be reciprocated thereby; a second plural grooved sheave attached to the and being anchored intermediate its ends in the anchor slot in the first mentioned sheave.

6. In a clothes washing machine, in combination, a container for clothes and liquid, an agitator disposed therein, a vertical drive shaft projecting through the bottom of said container and connected to said agitator, a double grooved sheave secured to said vertical drive shaft beneath said container, and means for reciprocating said sheave to oscillate said. agitator, said means comprising a second double grooved sheave, a power driven reciprocating crankarm connected to said second double grooved sheave and a flexible cable joined at a point on said second sheave to form an endless cable passing from said point on said second sheave around both grooves of said first sheave and back around a portion of one of the grooves of said second sheave to the point of securing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CLIFTON C. CAMIYIA'CK.

agitator mechanism and a' single flexible cable connection adapted to be secured at Its ends to the first mentioned sheave and to be received in the plural grooves in the second sheave in such manner as to transmit reciprocatory movement from the first mentioned sheave to the second sheave in a quiet and vibrationless manner.

5. In a washing machine, in combination, a tub, an agitator disposed therein, driving means for oscillating said agitator including power driven mechanism, dual sheave members, the first being connected to the agitator mechanism and the second to the power driven mechanism, means for reciprocating said second sheave, dual grooves formed on the first andsecond sheaves, the grooves on the first mentioned sheave having a crossover connection therebetween, an anchor slot disposed in the first sheave and a single'flexible cable adapted to be receive in the dual grooves of both sheaves, said exible cable ha g its ends secured in t e econd sheave Y no 

